Search

show me:

Oaks next stop for Mark Two

3 minute read

Promising staying filly Mark Two won’t race again before her autumn Group One target.

Mark Two
Mark Two Picture: Trish Dunell

Trainer Stephen Marsh has ruled out another appearance for the daughter of Pins ahead of the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) on March 17.

Mark Two has already raced second-up over 2000m and she found that easy enough,” the Cambridge conditioner said.

“She’s a very good filly and she can get there on a limited preparation, it won’t worry her at all.”

Mark Two was a debut second over 1600m at Tauranga in December and showed her quality at her following start when a close fourth in the Gr.2 Royal Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day.

She then came from the tail of the field to finish runner-up behind Dijon Bleu in Saturday’s Gr.2 Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic (2000m) at Te Rapa.

“It was a great run and my horse would be a good thing in a maiden 2000m at her next start, but she’s doing it all on her first preparation,” Marsh said. “I don’t need to run her again, she’ll be ready.”

Mark Two is a $9 chance in the Oaks while stablemate Insight is at $31.

“We had to scratch her from the Sir Tristram, her blood was out a little bit,” Marsh said.

“There’s still five weeks to go and we didn’t want to risk her. All going well she’ll run in the Sunline Vase.”

Insight won two runs back and the daughter of Shocking then finished sixth in the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m).
NZ Racing News

What’s gambling really costing you?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au